Hook assembly for ladder

ABSTRACT

A retractable hook assembly for a ladder includes a bracket secured to the ladder side rail and a hook extending through the bracket. The hook is free to move, linearly and pivotally, relative to he bracket. A locking means is secured to the hook and has at least two surfaces each adapted to be brought into locking engagement with a locking surface on the bracket. A recess is provided adjacent the locking surface so that the hook can be moved linearly against the force of a biasing spring into alignment with the recess and then pivoted relative to the bracket to selectively bring either of the surfaces on the locking means into locking engagement with the locking surface on the bracket.

United States Patent Inventor Lewis W. Berger Louisville Ladder Company,1163 Algonquin Parkway, Louisville, Ky. 40208 Appl. No 2,038 Filed Jan.12, 1970 Patented July 6, 1971 HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR LADDER 12 Claims, 6Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 182/206 Int. Cl E06c 7/48 Field of Search 182/206 ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/ l 901 Hatch 182/206 PrimaryExaminer-Reinaldo P. Machado ABSTRACT: A retractable hook assembly for aladder includes a bracket secured to the ladder side rail and a hookextending through the bracket. The hook is free to move, linearly andpivotally, relative to he bracket. A locking means is secured to thehook and has at least two surfaces each adapted to be brought intolocking engagement with a locking surface on the bracket. A recess isprovided adjacent the locking surface so that the hook can be movedlinearly against the force of a biasing spring into alignment with therecess and then pivoted relative to the bracket to selectively bringeither of the surfaces on the locking means into locking engagement withthe locking surface on the bracket.

PATENTEU JUL 8l97i FIG. 3

FlG.6

INVENTOR.

LEW! S W. BERGE R HOOK ASSEMBLY FOR LADDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to ladders and, more specifically, toan improved retractable hook assembly for a ladder. The term ladder asused herein includes scaffold frames, and other devices, wherein aretractable hook assembly of the character described may be employed.

It is desirable for some jobs to have a ladder with one or more hooks atits upper end which can be hooked over a cable or other device tomaintain the ladder in its erected position. This could be achieved, ofcourse, by providing rigid hooks permanently projecting from the ladderbut such books inter fere with convenient storage of the ladder when itis not in use. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a ladder withhooks which can be easily and conveniently retracted to facilitatestorage of the ladder. ideally, the hook can be moved to and from itsretracted position with one hand so that the other hand is free tosteady or hold the ladder. Moreover, the connection f the hook to theladder must be secure and the hook must be positively retained in bothits retracted and operative positions.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedretractable hook assembly for a ladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspectof the present invention, there is provided a ladder having at least oneside rail. A bracket is secured to the side rail and has a lockingsurface. A recess is provided adjacent the locking surface and a hookextends through the bracket and has a retracted or stored position andan operative position. Locking means are secured to the hook and havefirst and second surfaces. The hook and locking means have a firstposition wherein one of the first and second surfaces is in lockingengagement with the locking surface and a second position wherein thefirst and second surfaces are in alignment with the recess. Biasingmeans are provided to urge the locking means toward its first position.The hook and locking means are movable relative to the bracket wherebythe hook and locking means can be manually moved to their secondposition and rotated relative to the bracket to selectively bring eitherof the first and second surfaces into locking engagement with thelocking surface. The hook is in its stored position when the firstsurface is in locking engagement with the locking surface and in itsoperative position when its second surface is in locking engagement withthe locking surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWE'IJG While the specification concludeswith claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming thesubject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed theinvention will be better understood from the following description ofthe preferred embodiments taken in connection withthe accom panyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder employing the improved hookassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detailed view of one of the hook assemblies ofthe ladder of FIG. i;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the assembly in aposition intermediate the retracted position and the operative position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FlG. 2 but illustrating a secondembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,there is illustrated a ladder 10 having side rails II and 12 with rungsI3 extending therebetween. At the upper end of ladder to a pair of hookassemblies M, are provided for the purposes discussed above. Asillustrated, ladder it) may take the form of an extension ladder havingupper and lower portions with the upper portion maintained in an erectedrelationship with respect to the lower portion by means of a rung lock15. it is to be understood, however, that the hook assembly of thepresent invention could be utilized with any type of ladder having siderails whether of unitary design or of an extension design.

Referring now to FlGS. 2, 3, 4i and 5, the hook assembly 14 isillustrated in detail. Side rail I2 includes a central web 16 to which abracket i7 is secured by means of screws or bolts 18. Bracket i7 isgenerally C-shaped and includes two spaced legs I9 and 2d interconnectedby a web 2E. The distal, or free, end of legs 19 and 20 are providedwith openings through which screws lid extend to secure bracket 17 toweb 16. In the preferred form of the present invention, bracket 17 isformed from aluminum by an extrusion process and later cut into theappropriate width.

Leg i9 is provided with an opening 22 and leg 20 is provided with asimilar opening 23. Openings 22 and 23 are aligned with each other andreceive a portion 24 of hook 25. Portion 24 is substantially linear inconfiguration and circular in cross section. At the upper termination ofportion 24, hook 25 is flattened and given an arcuate configuration toform a hook portion.

A locking means or locator 26 is secured to portion 24 by means of arivet 27, or other suitable securing means, so as to be positionedbetween legs 19 and 20. Locator 26 is of generally square cross sectionwhich provides at least two locator, or locking, surfaces 28 and 29. Thesharp edge which would normally be defined by the intersection surfaces28 and 29 is rounded off to provide a bevel 30. As will become evidentas this description proceeds, bevel 30 is provided to give clearance ashook 25 is pivoted between its operative and retracted positions.

A biasing means or coil spring 31 is positioned to encircle portion 24and bear against leg 2d atone end and against loca tor 26 at its otherend. Spring 31 thus urges locator 26 upwardly to the positionillustrated in FIG. 2. When locator 26 is in the position illustrated inFIG. 2, surface 29 is in locking or locating engagement with a lockingsurface 32 on web 21. In this position, book 25 is in its operativeposition.

A recess 33 is positioned adjacent surface 32 so that, as hook is movedlinearly with respect to bracket 17, locator 26 moves into alignmentwith recess 33. When locator 26 is in alignment with recess 33, hook 25and locator 26 may be rotated or pivoted relative to bracket 17 so as tobring surface 28 into locking engagement with surface 32 as hook 25 andlocator .26 are linearly returned to the position wherein locatorengages ieg i FlGS. l and 5 illustrate hook 25 and locator 26 in theposition wherein locator 26 is aligned with recess and has beenpartially pivoted with relationship to bracket 117. in FIG. 5, it can beseen how bevel 30 provides clearance for locator 26 to rotate withinrecess 33.

Spring Bill, of course, retains either of surfaces 28 and 29 in lockingengagement with surface 32 at all times other than when the user of theladder manually overcomes the biasing force of ng to move locator asinto alignment with recess The mechanical locking engagement betweenJar. either of surfaces 28 or 29 and surface 32 provides a rigid andpositive locating or locking of hook 25 relative to side rail 12.

The uppermost of rungs l3 may be secured between the two hook assembliesM to provide an even more secure assemblagc. To achieve this, rung 13,which in the preferred form of the present invention is a hollowextruded aluminum rung, fits over a boss 3 Boss 34 is also of tubularconstruction and slips over an element 35 which extends through anopening in web it. Element 35 is secured to web 21 by means ofa rivet36, or other suitable securing means. Rung 13 is secured to boss 34 by arivet 37 or other suitable securing means.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a slightly modified embodiment of the premntinvention is illustrated. in order to simplify the explanation, thoseelements which are common to both the embodiment of FIG. 6 and theembodiment described above, have been given identical referencenumerals. The primary distinction between the embodiment of FIG. 6 andthat described above is that bracket 38 is slightly modified frombracket 17. Bracket 38 has a locking surface 39 located adjacent thedistal end of one of its legs 40. A recess 41 is defined adjacentsurface 39 by the distal ends of legs 40. The operation of theembodiment of FIG. 6 is identical to that of the embodiment describedabove. Hook 25 is manually linearly moved relative to bracket 38 tocompress spring 31. This movement brings locator 26 into alignment withrecess 41 whereupon hook 25 and locator 26 may be pivoted relative tobracket 38. Hook 25 and locator 26 are then allowed to move linearlyunder the force of spring 31 to bring-a surface on locator 26 intolocking engagement with surface 29.

As mentioned above, in the preferred form of the present inventionbracket 17 is formed from an aluminum extrusion and later cut too theappropriate width. By forming bracket 17 in' this manner, a very rigidelement is provided and the locking surfaces 32 or 39 can be properlyformed at the time the extrusion is made. Because the aluminum extrusionprovides a rigid structure, the bracket can be used to support the rungas shown in the drawing. This allows proper spacing between the top rungof the ladder and the adjacent rung. If a bracket less rigid than theextruded one were employed, the top rung would have to be positionedcloser to or farther from the adjacent rung to allow proper positioningof the bracket. Thus, an extruded aluminum bracket is employed in thepreferred form of the present invention.

It should now be apparent that the present invention provides animproved retractable hook assembly for a ladder wherein the hook ispositively retained in both its retracted and operative positions andthe hook can be moved to and from its retracted position with one handby the user of the ladder.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects ofthe invention are not limited to the particular details of constructionof the examples illustrated, and it is contemplated that various othermodifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. Itis, therefore, intended that the appended claims shall cover suchmodifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit andscope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

l. A ladder comprising:

at least one side rail;

a bracket secured to said side rail and having a locking surface;

a recess adjacent said locking surface;

a hook extending through said bracket having a retracted position and anoperative position;

locking means secured to said hook and having first and second surfaces;

said hook and said locking means having a first position wherein one ofsaid first and second surfaces is in locking engagement with saidlocking surface and a second position wherein said first and secondsurfaces are in alignment with said recess;

biasing means urging said locking means toward said first position;

said hook and said locking means being movable relative to said bracketwhereby said hook and said locking means can be manually moved to saidsecond position and pivoted relative to said bracket to selectivelybring either of said first and second surfaces into locking engagementwith said locking surface;

said hook being in said retracted position when said first surface is inlocking engagement with said locking surface and in said operativeposition when said second surface is in locking engagement with saidlocking surface;

said bracket being generally C-Oshaped with two legs and a webinterconnecting said legs; and

said locking surface and said recess being formed in said web.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising at least one rung, saidrung being secured to said web whereby said bracket serves as the meansto connect said rung to said side rail.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bracket is formed from analuminum extrusion.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein each of said legs has an openingtherethrough, said openings being aligned with each other, said hookhaving a portion extending through both of said openings, and saidopenings being slightly larger in diameter than said portion wherebysaid hooks can move relative to said bracket both linearly andpivotally.

5. The invention of claim 4 further comprising at least one rung, saidrung being secured to said web whereby said bracket serves as the meansto connect said rung to said side rail.

6. A ladder comprising:

at least one side rail;

a bracket secured to said side rail and having a locking surface;

a recess adjacent said locking surface;

a hook extending through said bracket and having a retracted positionand an operative position;

locking means secured to said hook and having first and second surfaces;

said hook and said locking means having a first position wherein one ofsaid first and second surfaces is in locking engagement with saidlocking surface and a second position wherein said first and secondsurfaces are in alignment with said recess;

biasing means urging said locking means toward said first position;

said hook and said locking means being movable relative to said bracketwhereby said hook and said locking means can be manually moved to saidsecond position and pivoted relative to said bracket to selectivelybring either of said first and second surfaces into locking engagementwith said locking surface;

said hook being in said retracted position when said first surface is inlocking engagement with said locking surface and in said operativeposition when said second surface is in locking engagement with saidlocking surface;

said bracket being generally C-shaped with two legs and a webinterconnecting said legs;

said locking surfaced being formed adjacent the distal end of one ofsaid legs; and

said recess being defined by space between the distal ends of said legs.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises anannular member encircling said portion and disposed between said legs.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises a coilspring encircling said portion and having one end bearing against saidlocking means and the other end bearing against one of said legs.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein said first and second surfaces aredisposed at substantially a right angle to each other with the edgetherebetween beveled to provide clearance for said annular member as itis rotated relative to said bracket.

10. A ladder comprising:

a pair of spaced-apart side rails;

a plurality of spaced-apart rungs rigidly interconnecting said siderails;

a bracket secured to each of said side rails;

one of said rungs having each of its ends secured to one of saidbrackets;

each of said brackets having a hook extending therethrough; and

said hook having a retracted position and an operative position.

operable to engage said locking surface on one of said brackets whereby,when said hook is in said operative position, it is locked in engagementagainst said locking surface on one of the brackets.

1. A ladder comprising: at least one side rail; a bracket secured tosaid side rail and having a locking surface; a recess adjacent saidlocking surface; a hook extending through said bracket having aretracted position and an operative position; locking means secured tosaid hook and having first and second surfaces; said hook and saidlocking means having a first position wherein one of said first andsecond surfaces is in locking engagement with said locking surface and asecond position wherein said first and second surfaces are in alignmentwith said recess; biasing means urging said locking means toward saidfirst position; said hook and said locking means being movable relativeto said bracket whereby said hook and said locking means can be manuallymoved to said second position and pivoted relative to said bracket toselectively bring either of said first and second surfaces into lockingengagement with said locking surface; said hook being in said retractedposition when said first surface is in locking engagement with saidlocking surface and in said operative position when said second surfaceis in locking engagement with said locking surface; said bracket beinggenerally C-Qshaped with two legs and a web interconnecting said legs;and said locking surface and said recess being formed in said web. 2.The invention of claim 1 further comprising at least one rung, said rungbeing secured to said web whereby said bracket serves as the means toconnect said rung to said side rail.
 3. The invention of claim 2 whereinsaid bracket is formed from an aluminum extrusion.
 4. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein each of said legs has an opening therethrough, saidopenings being aligned with each other, said hook having a portionextending through both of said openings, and said openings beingslightly larger in diameter than said portion whereby said hooks canmove relative to said bracket both linearly and pivotally.
 5. Theinvention of claim 4 further comprising at least one rung, said rungbeing secured to said web whereby said bracket serves as the means toconnect said rung to said side rail.
 6. A ladder comprising: at leastone side rail; a bracket secured to said side rail and having a lockingsurface; a recess adjacent said locking surface; a hook extendingthrough said bracket and having a retracted position and an operativeposition; locking means secured to said hook and having first and secondsurfaces; said hook and said locking means having a first positionwherein one of said first and second surfaces is in locking engagementwith said locking surface and a second position wherein said first andsecond surfaces are in alignment with said recess; biasing means urgingsaid locking means toward said first position; said hook and saidlocking means being movable relative to said bracket whereby said hookand said locking means can be manually moved to said second position andpivoted relative to said bracket to selectively bring either of saidfirst and second surfaces into locking engagement with said lockingsurface; said hook being in said retracted position when said firstsurface is in locking engagement with said locking surface and in saidoperative position when said second surface is in locking engagementwith said locking surface; said bracket being generally C-shaped withtwo legs and a web interconnecting said legs; said locking surfacedbeing formed adjacent the distal end of one of said legs; and saidrecess being defined by space between the distal ends of said legs. 7.The invention of claim 6 wherein said locking means comprises an annularmember encircling said portion and disposed between said legs.
 8. Theinvention of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil springencircling said portion and having one end bearing against said lockingmeans and the other end bearing against one of said legs.
 9. Theinvention of claim 7 wherein said first and second surfaces are disposedat substantially a right angle to each other with the edge therebetweenbeveled to provide clearance for said annular member as it is rotatedrelative to said bracket.
 10. A ladder comprising: a pair ofspaced-apart side rails; a plurality Of spaced-apart rungs rigidlyinterconnecting said side rails; a bracket secured to each of said siderails; one of said rungs having each of its ends secured to one of saidbrackets; each of said brackets having a hook extending therethrough;and said hook having a retracted position and an operative position. 11.The invention of claim 10 further comprising a locking surface on eachof said brackets, locking means on said hook operable to engage and lockagainst said locking surface when said hook is in said retractedposition.
 12. The invention of claim 10 further comprising a lockingsurface on each of said brackets, locking means on said hook operable toengage said locking surface on one of said brackets whereby, when saidhook is in said operative position, it is locked in engagement againstsaid locking surface on one of the brackets.